Finance Minister holds nationwide virtual consultations with business leaders ahead of budget

Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Thursday convened a virtual meeting with presidents and senior representatives of chambers of commerce and business organizations from across Pakistan to discuss the country’s economic outlook, upcoming budget priorities, and strategies for strengthening recovery, the Finance Division said.

The nearly 90-minute session, attended by Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani and senior officials from the Finance Division, Revenue Division, and Tax Policy Office, focused on gathering private-sector insights ahead of key engagements with international financial institutions and global partners.

Opening the meeting, Aurangzeb noted that Pakistan entered the current challenging economic phase from a position of relative macroeconomic stability, backed by fiscal discipline and stronger external buffers. He highlighted improved fiscal management, fulfillment of external obligations, and targeted support for vulnerable groups.

“The purpose of this meeting goes beyond taxation and budget planning,” the finance minister said. “It is about practical proposals to leverage trade, investment, and sustainable growth opportunities.”

Business leaders recommended steps to enhance the business environment, improve exports, boost productivity, and align policies with regional benchmarks. They called for reducing operational inefficiencies, optimizing infrastructure, and attracting investment in manufacturing and emerging sectors.

Participants also stressed improving liquidity flows, supporting export-oriented industries, diversifying markets, ensuring policy predictability, and engaging the private sector in budget consultations.

Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani welcomed the constructive input, noting that many proposals aligned with the government’s ongoing reform agenda. Officials from the Tax Policy Office and Federal Board of Revenue briefed participants on ongoing consultations and confirmed that chamber proposals are being reviewed to shape balanced policy measures.

Concluding the meeting, Aurangzeb thanked business leaders and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to working with the private sector to achieve economic stability, resilience, and long-term growth.

The meeting included business leaders from major cities, including FPCCI President Atif Ikram Sheikh, Karachi Chamber President Rehan Hanif, Lahore Chamber President Faheem Saigol, Rawalpindi Chamber President Usman Shoukat, as well as representatives from Quetta, Sialkot, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Gujrat, Sarhad, and Islamabad chambers.